Dining al fresco! Applications are open for the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Investment Scheme.

Outdoor Dining Enhancement Investment Scheme

Fáilte Ireland’s new Outdoor Dining Enhancement Investment Scheme, delivered locally in partnership with Cavan County Council, will facilitate greater capacity in outdoor dining by supporting hospitality businesses in implementing weather-proofing solutions which will facilitate year-round outdoor dining.

The scheme is open to attractions, hotels, restaurants, cafes, public houses or other tourism and hospitality business establishments where food is sold for consumption on the premises.

The focus of this scheme is to financially assist and support independent tourism and hospitality business owners to create outdoor dining experiences in a regulated and accessible manner. Funding under the scheme is available to existing businesses and those premises that have no commercial rates outstanding to Cavan County Council or have a payment plan in place.

What items are eligible?

Items such as tables, chairs, umbrellas, electric heaters, screens/windbreaks, plant stands, and wooden platforms are considered eligible for the scheme.

Any furniture shall be of robust and stable construction to prevent movement in adverse weather conditions and be agreed with the Council. Screens/windbreakers must be agreed with the Council and will be subject to conditions detailed at www.cavancoco.ie/outdoor-dining.

Will I require a Street Furniture Section 254 Licence?

If the outdoor furniture is to be located on a public road/footpath, a Street Furniture Licence is required and an application must be submitted under Section 254 of the Planning & Development Act 2000.

The Street Furniture Licence Application must be approved and a licence issued to the applicant first, and submitted along with the Outdoor Seating & Accessories for Tourism & Hospitality Business Scheme application form in order to apply for the Grant. If the Licence is refused, the applicant will not be eligible for the grant.

Further information and an application The Street Furniture Licence (Section 254) application can be downloaded at http://www.cavancoco.ie/section-254-licence-application.htm.

Will I require planning permission?

The onus in on the applicant to ensure compliance with planning requirements. Please note that additional provisions may apply in the case of Protected Structures. Cavan County Council’s Planning Office will provide guidance in respect of any proposed works by email at plan@cavancoco.ie or by phone at 049 4378300.

Amount of grant funding available

The scheme will provide for up to 75% of the ex-VAT cost of equipment purchased/installed with a maximum allowable contribution of up to €4,000 per applicant. Expenditure must be incurred between April 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021 and payment will be made to approved applicants on submission of receipts and photography of furniture in situ.Failure to have a Section 254 Licence or planning permission where required will result in a delay in grant payment.

How to apply

Applications for grants under the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Investment Scheme are now open at www.cavancoco.ie/outdoor-dining. Please note: You will need to create an account prior to starting out the form. If you previously applied for ReStart Grant or ReStart Plus Grant then you can login again with the same login details. An option to reset your password is available if required.

The scheme is now open for applications and will close on Thursday, September 30, 2021.

Further Information

For further information on the ‘Outdoor Seating and Accessories for Tourism and Hospitality Scheme’ please contact outdoordining@cavancoco.ie